Tucked away just off the high street in Guildford, I've become pretty attached to this place over the last few months. It's everything a record shop should be - friendly, ever changing and diverse.
When you walk around Guildford it's almost impossible to find independent stops still in business and it makes you realize what a special place Bens is. Independent record shops are disappearing thick and fast, losing out to the obvious high street music chain. But still, after 17 years, Ben's is open and better than ever. The range of music on sale is phenomenal, I cant remember ever leaving without a smile on my face.
I've been talking to Ben a bit over the last few weeks and he's been letting on that bills are sometimes hard to pay, making what he's doing even more remarkable. The value is incredible. Endless vinyl is waiting to be found for as little as a pound, and the Cd's on sale are also massively cheap. It's amazing that he's prepared to offer music so cheaply to people and put himself on the line in doing so. Ultimately, he's doing what he truly loves and that really is all that matters to him, so everyone's a winner.
Today I got myself a couple of collectable Bowie twelves for under a fiver, and for all the skateboarders out there - if you hurry you might still get your hands on this:
Shops like this need all the support they can get and when you consider the warmth, knowledge and fun Bens Collectors Records offers, there really shouldn't be anywhere else to buy your music from in Guildford and beyond.
Ben's Collectors Records
5 Tunsgate
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4BT
Phone: 01483 301165
E-Mail: ben@bensrecords.com
